Joseph h



(No Model.)

J. H. CAMPBELL.

V AMMONIA VAPOR ENGINE.

No. 399,133. Patented. Mar. 5, 1889.

NY PETERS Pham-cimu m im. Washington, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()rricn,

JOSEPH H. CAMPBELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AMMONlA-VAPOR ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 899,133, dated March 5, 1889.

Application filed December 30, 1887 Renewed July 24, 1888i Serial No. 280,919. (hi0 model.)

To (c/Z whom it 'liLfl-j/ renown:

Be it known that I, Josnra H. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at Xcw York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Am- 1 monia-YaporEngines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The object of my invention is to fully saturate the weak solution used for spraying the exhaust-vapor from the cylinder of the engine by subjecting such solution, together with the excess or unabsorbed vapor, to progressive and continuous steps of absorption, and to disseminate the heat of absorption set free at each such step by means of cooling-fluid.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a simple apparatus for indicating low water in the boiler; to provide proper appliances [or drawing off any vapor or gas in excess ol saturation of the sprayingtluid after said fluid has been used for absorbing the exhaust-vapor, and enforein g final absorption by pressure; to provide appliances for purging the apparatus of air that may have been drawn into it; to provide means for lubricating the cylinder and the valves of the steamchest; to rel urn the combined exhaust-vapor and spraying-fluid to the boiler by means of a vapor-pump-viz., a pump driven by the vapor of ammonia-which pump is similar in construction to an ordinary steam-pumpused for like purposes; to control or neutralize, automatically or otherwise, any excess of pressure that may occur in the boiler without bein g compelled to discharge or waste any of the ammonia contained within it, and to prevent any impurities-such as scale, &c.from passing from the boiler to a jet used for spraying or absorbing the exhaust-vapor of the engine.

The foregoing and other novel and important features of my invention will be fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing 1 have shown in a longitudinal. vertical view, partly in section, an apparatus embodying the various features of my invention.

A represents a boiler having a vapor-dome, C.

E is an engine-cylinder connected with A l and C by the vapor-pipe D.

i Z is the main cock or gate for shutting off steam.

O is the main exhaust-pipe for the engine, and .I a pipe conveying fluid under boilerpressure t'rom'thc boiler to a spray or absorbing jet, j, in the exhaust-pipe O.

The weak ammonia solution, in order to make it suitable for absorbing the exhaustvapor, must be reduced in temperature to about Fahrenheit This is accomplished by passing the pipe .I in the term of a coil through the shell T, through which coolingwater is circulated, as explained hereinafter. In order to utilize part of the heatof which 5 the sprayihgdluid must be deprived, the pipe J may be passed through a heater, H, where the weak solution within it made to impart heat to the combined exhaust-vapor and s prayiluid, which re-entor the boiler by means of the pipe F. The ammonia-vapor expelled by heat "from the aqua-ammonia in the boiler, after acting upon the piston in cylinder E as steam acts in the cylinder of a steam-engine, is upon being exhausted withdrawn by suction produced by the induced current created at j by the spray-fluid with which it is mixed, absorption of apart of the exhaust-vapor thus taking place, and heat of absorption is evolved, as mentioned above. Such heat having a constant tendency toward defeating further and complete absorption, I dispose of the same by passing the combined spraying-fluid and eX- haust-vapor through the absorbers or surfacecondensers S and S. The absorber S is provided with a series of horizonta tubes, 71 n, n 12 and n 12 and with double heads K K, the spaces between said double heads being to form the chambers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The combined spraying-fluid and exhaustt-he absorber or surface-condenser S, which is of a construction similar to that of S, having horizontal tubes and double heads, the solution in S, however, being made to pass around the tubes while the cooling-water passes through said tubes after having circulated through pipes ct a a shell '1, and

vapor passes through the pipe 0 into the surface-condenser S and pipe 0 on its way to divided by means of partitions b and 9, so as pipe (1". Leaving the chambers and tubes of S the cooling-water passes through the pipes a? and around the tubes in S, and is finally discharged through a.

The completion of the absorpl ion of the exhaust-vapor is accomplished gradually, as follows: The liquid and gas together pass from pipe 0 and chamber 1 in the surface-condenser S, through the pipes or tubes n '11, into the chamber 2, where the liquid drops down to the bottom of said chamber to the pipes 41 n and absorbs the vapor which has accumulated in said chamber. By this act of absorption the solution is raised to atemperature so high by the heat of absorptionthat 1 it will absorb no more vapor, and is therei'ore returned through the cooling-tubes 71 71 where its temperature is reduced and its capacity for absorption restored to the chamber 3,;where it again falls through the vapor confined in the chamber and absorbs it. The heat of absorption again raises the temperature of the solution; but in passing through the tubes n n it is again cooled and, falling through the vapor in the chamber4, it absorbs an additional amount of vapor on its way-toward the absorber S, where further satura tion takes place. S with vertical chambers and horizontal tubes and partitions the liquid contents of the absorber is rapidly removed by gravity, leaving the tubes and cooling-surfaces exposed to contact with the exhaust-vapor as it passes successi ely from' one chamber to an other, and, furthermore, any accumulation of the exhaust-vapor at the entrance or top of the absorber is prevented.

It will be seen that the twoabsorbers Sand S might be consolidated in one frame or body without changing their operations.

The solution after having absorbed at sufficient amount of the vapor to produce a partial vacuum in the cylinder by passing down through the primary absorber, S, and up through the secondary absorber, S, finds its wayto the reservoir or well \V, through the pipes O O O, or throughpipe 0' pump P", and pipes O" and 0. On aecoun t of the velocity with which the solution is forced forward by the force of the spray and the vacuum created by the absorption of the vaporand the action By providing the absorber of the pumps a portion of the vapor adheres to the solution in excess of saturation at the temperature. This excess of vaporis released as soon as the solution comes to a state of 5 rest. To avoid backressure on the )iston which would result from the vapor being released, and which has been carriedalong by l adhesion, the solution is caused to enter at the bottom or lower part of the secondary absorber, i and to, overflow from the top into the well XV, .whiehit enters at the bottom, or

into pump P, as the case, may be. As a ammonia-gas from pipe 0, and to produce apressure in the receiving-we1l or in the secondary absorber and the well,,thus assisting the engine and aiding absorption, as ammenia -gas will be more readily absorbed by water or by aweak' solution when gas and liquid are under pressure.

I is a pipe leading fromthe reservoir or well W to the pump P,which pu mp draws the solution from the well and forces it back into the boiler through the pipe F, which forms acoil Within the heater H. In this heater the spraying-fluid upon leaving the b oiler, surrounds said pipe F, transferring to its contents part of its heat. The pipe I may enter the welllV at about one-half its height, as shown, thus permitting the well to remain partially filled with the solution, in order that the gases or vapor carried along by adhesion may be dissolved in this solution. Furthermore, by having the well only partially filled with the solution a space is left in its upper portion for the reception of any air which may have been drawn into the apparatus. To remove such air from the well \V, to which the same would be carried with the solution passing through the absorbers, it would only be necessary to stop the operation of the feed-pump l? by closing lfiso as to allow the solution to rise in said same has passed through the cooling-shell 'l.

3y opening the cock Z after the ammoniavapor in the well \V has been absorbed the air remaining in. the upper part of said well \V will be expelled through the pipe M, the ammonia solution meantime filling the well \Y. After this is accomplished andcock Z has been closed the pump P may again be rendered operative by opening Z in order to red uce the solution in the well \V to its former lcyel. The pump l? is principally intended to reduce the amount of co0ling water needed, where it is difficult toobtain sufficientquantities of the same, by substituting compression in well W for the additional cooling-water otherwise required to complete absorption of the ammonia-vapor. \Vhen the engine is running with only a partial load, the power for running pump P" may be saved by'disconnecting itand allowing the solution to pass from pipe 0 into pipe 0 through pipe 0 1;

being a check-valve constructed to open toward pipe when the pressure in pipe 0 equals or exceeds that in pipe 0 Instead of the check-valve c an ordinary cock to be operated by hand might be substituted.

The reservoir or well V is connected with the main vapor-pipe by means of the pipe G, which serves in a measure to regulate the pressure in the plant and to dispose of small amounts of surplus vapor that may be developed beyond the requirements of the engine.

For such purpose it is provided with an automatic valve, e adjusted to open when dangerous pressure is reached in the boiler,

thus affording means whereby the vapor can pass directly into the liquid in the well XV. Surplus gas will thus be absorbed by the liquid, owing in part to the affinity which cool water or cool solution, not fully saturated, possesses for ammonia-gas, but owing principally to the great pressure under which said gas is thus discharged. To maintain the fluid in the well V cool for such purpose, I arrange to have cooling-water pass through coil (1 as mentioned heretofore I have found in practice that when ammonia-gas is introduced into arefservoir or well partly filled with absorbing liquid, as described, it is necessary, in order to obtain prompt absorption of said to pass directly into the body of the liquid. If the gas were introduced above said liquid, the upper surface of the same, first coming in contact with said 1 from the boiler tmvard the spray-jetj in the exhaust-pipe O. The pipe J also acts as a safety appliance to the boiler in the following manner: When the solution in the boiler 'eomes below the mouth of the pipe J, vapor instead of liquid will rush through said pipe and will be mingled with the exhaust-vapor from the cylinder. The excess of vapor at this point will cause a back-pressure on the piston of the cylinder which will check or stop thecnginc.

The cock 1*" in the pipe J may he used to regulate the amount of solution admitted to the exhaustpipc through the jet j. J is a pipe branching out from pipe J and leading to the interior of the cylinder; through it, upon opening cock I, a spray of the weak solution is forced under boiler-pressure into the cylinder, for the purpose of lubricating the cylinder and valves of the steam-chest when starting and stopping the engine. I

The feed-pump P is constructed similar to ordinary steam-pumps. It obtains its supply of vapor for propelling its piston from the main pipe D by means of the branch pipe (Z, in which cock serves to regulate the vaporsupply. Its exhaust-pipe 6 leads into the main exhaust-pipe O at a point, a", located between the cylinder E and the absorber S.

P is a double pump recei vin its vapor supply for propelling it from the main pipe D by means of the branch pipe d, which contains the cock Z and automatic valve V. Said pump is shown here to be provided with a central cylinder, c, which has a piston moving within. The exhaust-vapor is discharged through the exhaust-pipe f into the main exhaust-pipe O at y, so as to be absorbed by the spray j, which performs the same function for the vapor that passes through the enginecylinder E. The piston-rod of the pump P has attached to it a piston in the cylinder 0 and another one in the cylinder 0 a is the suction-pipe for the cylinder 0 The pipe a may take its supply from any suitable source of cooling-water. a is the discharge-pipe. The same enters the cooling pipe (1 a, which furnishes a constant supply of water, and is shown here to lead to the well V.

7L is the suction-pipe for the cylinder 0', taking its supply from the liquid in the well \V. It is provided with a cockfl h is the discharge-pipe, leading into the vapor'space C of the boiler A.

The valve V is adjusted to open automatically when a given pressure is reached above it in the pipe (1'.

Q is a pipe connecting the pipe 0 with the pipe J.

is a weighted valve opening automatically under a given pressure, the cock Z being then open.

The operation of the pnmpP is as follows: Whenever there is an excess of pressure in the boiler and pipes l) and d, the cock Zbeing open, the weighted valve V will be opened and will admit vapor to 0, thus starting the pump P. The excess of pressure will also open weighted valve r", I being open at the time, thus permitting a larger suppiy of liquid to pass from the boiler to the absorbers,where it will be cooled and by gravity, or, forced by pump P, wili flow into the well V. The cock being closed the entire quantity of liquid thus drawn from the boiler and cooled will be with drawn from the well V by means of pump P and discharged through pipe h and spray-nozzle or rose-head 02 into the vaporspace of the boiler, where, being brought in contact with the vapor, it will absorb a portion of it, thus reducing the pressure. N N is a pipe connecting with the main vapor-pipe D, as well as with the exhaustpipe O, and passing around the engine-cylindcrE. It is provided with a cock, I, which the engineer may open at will, particularly when he shuts off the vapor by closing the throttle-valve Z An autom attic valve might, however, be substituted for Z. When the engine is stopped suddenly, the pipe N N is to be principally employed, The pipe G, leading into the well \Y, discharges the gas into a comparatively strong solution,

(formed of combined spraying-fluid and exhaust-vapor,) and therefore will only be capable of taking care of ordinary and limited fluctuations in the pressure, while the pipe N N,

' constructed to bring the vapor in direct contact with an induced current of weak solution at j, offers means of promptly relieving the boiler of excessive pressure.

The operation of the pump P is that of an ordinary steam-pu mp, except that the exhaust of this pump is returned to the boiler by the aid of the spray-absorbing liquid used for the cylinder of the main engine, itbeing found in practice difflcult to use an independent spray for the pump without using an orifice or nozzle so large that the economy of the plant would be materially affected. The amount of vapor required for the work to be performed by pump P being small it is not necessary to depend upon a spray-jet for the absorption of the exhaust-vapor, it being sufficient to bring it in contact with the fluid-exhaust in pipe 0 at X before entering the absorbers S and S. For the purpose of obtaining an increased supply of cooling-water for the fluid thus forced through the pipes J and O the water-cylinder c of the pump P is operated, as heretofore described, so as to add the water-supply passing through it, when the pump P is in motion, to the supply of coolingwater ordinarily passing through a a.

It will be seen that the fluid introduced into the vapor-space will be more effective in promptly reducing the boiler-pressure, as it will come in direct contact with the vapor and will thus absorb it, while the fluid passed into the boiler through P below the fluid-line will only serve to reduce the general tempera ture of the boiler and of the fluid in the same way.

As it may happen, when ammonia is first introduced into the boiler, that impurities such as scale-be taken up by the sprayingfluid, it is desirable to prevent such impurities from reaching and obstructing the small nozzle j, and for such purpose I provide in J the casing U, with strainer w, in such a manner that the strainer may be taken out and cleaned. For such purpose I form the lower part of U as a detachable pocket, in which impurities may be temporarilyreceived.

The cock 1 will serve to shut off the water while U is being cleaned. It may also be used to regulate the amount of spraying-fluid which it is desired to pass through said pipe J. When it is desired to draw fluid from the boiler B directly to the well W, the by-pass Z around the pump P may be used, which bypass is provided with the cock I.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination, with the cylinder thereof, of a pipe carrying spraying or absorbing liquid from the boiler to the exhaust-pipe, and a horizontal surface-condenser, substantially as set forth.

2. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the eon1bination, with the cylinder thereof, of a pipe carrying spraying or absorbing liquid from the boiler to the exhaustepipe, a horizontal surface-condenser, and a secondary absorber into which the fluid enters below the liquidline, substantially as set forth.

3. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination, with the cylinder thereof, of apipe carrying spraying-fluid from the boiler to the exhaust-pipe and an absorber provided with vertical chambers and horizontal tubes, substantially as set forth.

4. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination, with the cylinder thereof, of a pipe carrying spraying-fluid from theboiler to the exhaust-pipe, and an absorber provided with vertical chambers and horizontal tubes and partitions, and a secondary absorber into which the fluid passes underneath the liquidline for the purpose of entrapping gas carried along by adhesion, substantially as set forth.

5. In an aqua-ammonia .engine, the combination, with the boiler, of a reservoir containing liquid of greater absorptive power than that contained in the boiler, and a pipe provided with a valve constructed to admit automatically, in case .of excessive pressure in the boiler, vapor from the boiler into the liquid contained in the well, substantially as set forth.

6. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination, with the boiler, of a reservoir containing solution of greater absorptive power than that contained in the boiler, a pipe with suitable valve leading from the vapor-space of the boiler into the liquid-space of the reservoir, and a pump for forcing the solution from the reservoir back into the boiler, substantially as set forth.

7. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination, with the boiler, of areservoir containing solution of greater absorptive power than that contained in the boiler, and a pipe provided with a valve for admitting vapor from the boiler to the Well, that part of said pipe within the fluid in the well being provided with a series of perforations, substantially as set forth.

8. In an engine of the character described, the spray-pipe J ,leading from the boiler to the exhaust-pipe of the cylinder, provided with the branch pipe J, leading into the cylinder, and having the cock 1", whereby a jet of the solution may beinjected intothe cylinder to lubricate the'same prior to starting the engine, substantially as set forth.

9. In an engine of the character described, the combination of an apparatus for re-absorbing the exhaust-vapor, and the pump P for increasing the vacuum on the piston and creating a prt sure in the well, substantially as set forth.

1 In an engine of the character described, the combination of an apparatus for re-absorbing the exhaust-vapor, the pump P", placed between the absorbers and the Well W the combination, with the well partly filled with aqua-ammonia for receiving the combined spraying-liquid and exhaust-vapor, of the pump P, for discharging absorbing-liq uid into said well, and the pipe M, with cock P, for purging the apparatus of air, substantially as specified.

12. In an engine of the character described, the combination, with the well of a pipe for filling said well with solution, the cock I, for closing the outlet of said well, and the pipe M, with cock I, for inirging the apparatus of air, substantially as set forth.

13. In an engine of the characterdescribed,

in combination withthe boiler and the spraypipe .I, the strainer 10, substantially as set forth.

14:. In an engine of the character described, the combinatiomwith the boiler and the spray pipe J, of the casing U, with detachable bottom and containing the strainer w, substantially as set forth.

15. In an engine of the characterdescribed, the c0mbinat-ion,with the boiler and the spraypipe, of the strainer w and cock I", substaniially as specified.

3516. In an engine of the characterdescribed, the eombinatiomwith the boiler and the spraypipe, of the cock Z in said spray-pipe, substantially as set forth.

17. In an aquaannnonia engine, the combination, with a spray-pipe for conveying the fluid or solution from the boiler to the exhaustpipe of the engine, of an additional pipe provided with a suitable valve or cock connecting the spray-pipe with the exhaustpipe, whereby the amount of solution or fluid admitted from the boiler to the exhaust-pipe can be increased, as set forth.

18. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination of a pipe for conveying sprayingfluid from the boiler to the exhaust-pipe of the engine, an additional pipe provided with a suitable valve or cook connecting the spray-pipe with a cooling apparatus, and a pump for forcing the cooled fluid or solution into the vaporspace of the boiler, as set forth.

19. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combt nation of a pipe for conveying sprayingfiuid from the boilerto the exhaust-pipe of the engine, an additional pipe provided with a selfacting or automatic valve connecting the spray-pipe with the exhaust-pipe and cooling apparatus, and a pump for forcing the cooled fluid or solution into the vapor-space of the boiler, as set forth.

20. In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination of a pipe for conveying spraying-fluid from the boiler to the c'xhausbpipe of the enginc, an additional pipe provided with aselfacting or automatic valve connecting the spray-pipe with the exhaust-pipe and cooling apparatus, and a pump for forcing the cooled solution or fluid into the vapor-space 0f the boiler, said pump being arranged and adjusted to operate automatically under an increased pressure in the boiler, as set forth.

2]. In an aqua-ammonia engine the combination, with the boiler and engine-cylinder, of the pipe N N, providedwith a cook or valve, for conveying vapor directly (and Without passing it through the cylinder) to the absorbing jet j, discharging liquid under boiler-pressure for the purpose of relieving the boiler, substantially as specified.

22. In an aquaa1nmonia engine, the combination of a boiler and pipe leading from the vapor-space of the boiler to the cylinder of the engine, with a pump adapted to be operated by the vapor from the boiler, and a pipe leading from the exhaust of the pump to the exhaust-pipe ot' the engine, as set forth.

23. In an aqua-annnonia engine, a boiler for generating the vapor, and a pipe leading from the vapor-space of the boiler to the cylinder of the engine, a pump adapted to be operated by the vapor from the boiler, and a pipe leading from the exhaust of the pump to the exhaust-pipe of the engine, in combination with a spray of the cooled solution or fluid, whereby the exhaust from the cylinders of the pump and engine are algisorbed, as set forth.

2 In an aqua-ammonia engine, the combination of the boiler, a system of circulatingpipes for conveying cooling-water to the absorbers, an d a pump adj ustcd to automatically increase the amount of such cooling-water in case of excessive pressm-e in the boiler, substantially as set forth.

25. In an aqua-ammoniaengine, the combination, with the boiler and absorbers for absorbing the exhaust-vapor, of an air-pump, a receiving-well, and a feed-pump, said well being placed between said pumps, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH H. CAMPBELL.

lVit-nesses:

0. L. Hermon, Janus lrICLAIN. 

